Question

A man pulls a sled at a constant velocity across a horizontal snow surface. if a force of 80 n is being applied to the sled rope at an angle of 53° to the ground, what is the force of friction between sled and snow?

Answer 1

Answer:

The force of friction between sled and snow is 48.14 N

Explanation:

It is given that,

Force applied on the sled, F = 80 N

The angle with the sled and the ground is 53 degrees. We need to find the force of friction between sled and snow.

The horizontal force acting in the horizontal direction is given by :

$F_x=F\ cos\theta$

$F_x=80\times cos(53)$

$F_x=48.14\ N$

So, the force of friction between sled and snow is 48.14 N. Hence, this is the required solution.

Answer 2

A constant velocity implies the two forces must be equal and opposite.
Friction acts horizontal to the ground, therefore we must find the force applied to the sled rope that acts horizontal to the ground.
Do this by resolving:
Force = 80cos53
The force opposing this is equal, and so also = 80cos53 = 48 N (2 sig. fig.)